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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does NOT ride out the storm?

2. Where do Merlin and his troops have a clash with 20 men?

3. Who is the bishop that gave Ambrosius support?

4. Who is set free after the questioning about Merlin's father?

5. Who is standing beside Merlin when he wakes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened when Ambrosius died?

2. What does Merlin realize as he is sitting watching the battle at Maesbeli?

3. What do people do for Merlin, as he is now considered to be a hero and great man?

4. What happened to Vortigern and the Queen?

5. What happens to Ambrosius?

6. What does Blackbeard do to Dinias after he tells Merlin to come with him to see the King?

7. How is Uther described at this point in the story?

8. Why do King Vortigern and his men want to kill Merlin?

9. Why was Killare thought of as a holy place?

10. Why is Uther mad at Merlin at the end of this story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of the sight in this story is another recurrent idea. Some characters have the sight, but not everyone chooses to use it as others do.

Part 1 - List as many characters as you can that have the gift of the sight at any point in the novel.

Part 2 - What does the sight allow these characters to do?

Part 3 - What is the significance of the sight? What does it mean in a larger sense? What does it create for the novel?

Essay Topic 2

The Crystal Cave is not only the title, but also a major setting in this story. To Merlin, it is a sort of birthplace for his powers and also a place where he restores himself.

Part 1 - Describe the appearance of the Crystal Cave and how Merlin came to find it in the first place.

Part 2 - Give at least 3 examples of lessons Merlin learned while in the Crystal Cave.

Part 3 - What do you think the Crystal Cave represents in the story? What is the larger metaphor for the cave's presence?

Essay Topic 3

At many times, Merlin seems to work "magic" on others through his words and not through physical or magical trickery.

Part 1 -Describe the way in which Merlin battles with Marric and Hanno on the boat.

Part 2 - How does Merlin use words to save himself?

Part 3 - In what others ways does Merlin use his wits to save his life? Describe specific examples from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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